If you play or work in sport, you've probably heard the phrase 'pre-tapes' being used at some point. Perhaps your team's therapist has used it before. Or, maybe you just love tape. Whatever the case, there’s 3 main reasons that you might want to give pre-tapes a try.
- You, your player, or your patient, has a sensitivity to taping materials.
- You, or they, refuse to shave.
- You’re taping a particularly sweaty area.
If that sounds about right, then read on. This guide will help you decide what tape (or spray) to choose for each scenario, and how using pre-tapes can help save you some money.
THE SPORTTAPE GUIDE TO PRE-TAPES:
WHAT ARE PRE-TAPES?
In short, pre-tapes are different tapes and sprays that are designed to go underneath your main strapping application, either to protect the skin, or help the application on top stick better.
At SPORTTAPE, we have three main pre-tape options that, depending on your specific usage, could be an ideal partner for some of your favourite and most used tapes. There's Fixation Tape, Underwrap and, one of our most recently released, and most popular products, Pre-Tape Spray.
Let's take a closer look at exactly what they are, how they're used and what sort of difference they can make to your taping applications.
FIXATION TAPE
WHAT IS FIXATION TAPE?
Fixation Tape is strong, breathable and super sticky. It can conform easily to any area of the body with an adhesive that's designed to last, whatever your sport can throw at it. It’s quickly becoming an essential tape for every club therapist’s kitbag.
The acrylic adhesive is much kinder to the skin than Zinc Oxide glues too, making SPORTTAPE Fixation Tape perfect for sensitive areas of the body. It's used most often around the shoulder, elbow, and knee. As a pre-tape it's been specifically designed with the pitch-side therapist in mind, offering a more affordable dressing retention tape.
If sweat is part of the reason that you're here right now, this may be the answer.
TIP: 1 roll of Fixation Tape can save you 3 rolls of Zinc Oxide Tape, since you’ll only be applying once. Plus, one roll of Fix Tape will also last a long time if you only use it on those tricky areas.
FIXATION TAPE FEATURES:
- Dressing Retention: We use hypoallergenic, non-woven synthetic fibres that are permeable to moisture, meaning the skin can breathe and air can circulate.
- Easy Peel: Our backing tape is cut down the centre, making it easy to remove and apply to dressings, gauze, pads or below Zinc Oxide Tape.
- Strong and Breathable: Its breathable fabric means that the skin can breathe properly and air can circulate through the tape. This makes the application less prone to peeling when you start sweating.
- Adhesion: Our acrylic adhesive is kinder to the skin than Zinc Oxide glues, making Fixation Tape perfect for sensitive areas of the body and easy to remove. We’d always recommend a test patch if you have a known history of taping allergies.
- 2 Sizes: The 10cm width is perfect for wider muscle groups and joints, and holding dressings and plasters in place. The 5cm width is great for patella maltracking and for use in combination with Zinc Tan.
UNDERWRAP
WHAT IS UNDERWRAP?
Acting as a thin barrier, Underwrap pre-tape is a thin layer of foam that is wrapped around a joint or muscle, before overlaying it with strapping tapes, like Zinc Oxide. This has the advantage of protecting the skin, allowing for easy and pain-free removal.
It’s also highly effective against tape chafing and alternatively, can be used to secure cold packs and bandages in place during use. It’s made from a lightweight foam that is porous, water-repellent and really easy to use.
UNDERWRAP FEATURES:
- Protect Your Skin: Protection from the potential irritation of wearing adhesive tapes. It's applied before overlaying it with strapping tapes, meaning glue never touches the skin. The definition of pre-tape.
- Adhesive Free: Perfect if you have sensitive skin, but still need to be taped. Our Underwrap is non-sticky yet lightly rubberised to touch. It prevents slipping on the skin, keeping tapes in place.
- Lightweight: The polyurethane foam is featherlight on the skin, yet strong enough to be applied under tension. The breathable design creates a comfortable barrier between your skin and tape.
PRE-TAPE SPRAY
WHAT IS PRE-TAPE SPRAY?
Pre-Tape Spray works by adding an additional layer of glue to the skin, making it tackier for any tape above to stick to. The spray dramatically improves the adhesion of sports tapes in challenging areas.
How it works is, apply it to clean and dry skin. Shake the can well before use and then spray in a sweeping motion approximately 20cm from the skin. Wait 20-30 seconds for the adhesive to become tacky. Typically, for the best results, we'd recommend using it with a SPORTTAPE Kinesiology Tape, Zinc Oxide Tape, EAB or a Fixation Tape.
PRE-TAPE SPRAY FEATURES:
- Spray: There's no clogging here. Our aerosol spray means more control and less waste.
- Wait: Enjoy the citrus aroma and wait 10-20 seconds for it to dry. It will be tacky to touch.
- Tape: Apply your tape. Perfect for damp or wet conditions as well as body parts subject to heavy sweating.
WHAT ARE THE DOWNSIDES OF PRE-TAPES?
Let’s be clear. For the best results, you should always stick tape directly to the skin. It’s how it sticks best.
Underwrap is great for taping allergies and hair, but it also needs to be applied tightly and accurately so that it doesn’t slip. Fixation Tape needs to be cut with scissors, so takes a bit of pre-planning. However, it’s worth it not to have to re-strap a shoulder at half time!
And Pre-Tape Spray is designed for everyone. You want to be certain your taping applications will last for as long as you need them to, and that's exactly why we designed our sprays.
And that's it! That's our SPORTTAPE guide to pre-tapes. Now you should have a better understanding of Fix Tape, Underwrap and, one of our new favourites, Pre-Tape Spray. If you want to learn more about any of them or have a questions for us, get in touch! We'd love to help.
